Lone Defender (Love Inspired Suspense)

by Shirlee McCoy

  “I appreciate the information, Deputy, but I don’t make a habit of talking anyone down,” Skylar reassured him, but his comments had made her even more curious about the sheriff and his priorities.

  “Good to know. Keep your nose clean and watch your back. If you’re murdered in Cave Creek after you made it through six days alone in the desert—”

  “The sheriff will have a really bad election year?” she offered, and he smiled. Shook his head.

  “That, too, but I’m more concerned about you. You’ve come too far and fought too hard to die on the street of our little town. So, be careful.” He offered a quick wave and walked away.

  “Do you think he’s on the up and up?” Jonas asked, his gaze following the deputy’s retreat.

  “Why would he lie?”

  “Why would anyone?” He lifted the suitcase into the truck bed.

  “I don’t know, but whatever his motivation, he’s given us some interesting information, and I think we should move on it.”

  “I suppose you want to head over to Redmond’s.”

  “I think we should.”

  We?

  She didn’t do we. Hadn’t done we since her days working as a police officer and the betrayal that had nearly taken her life. Matthew’s actions had only cemented her certainty that she was better off on her own. She’d made that clear to Kane when she’d accepted the job he’d offered.

  Yet there she was, getting ready to check out a potential crime scene with Jonas.

  She frowned, wishing she’d grabbed her cell phone from the suitcase. She could have charged the phone, made a call to Kane and let him know just how unhappy she was to have Jonas around.

  Only she wasn’t unhappy.

  That was the truth, and she always tried to tell it. Even to herself.

  Having Jonas around was…comforting.

  Or maybe not.

  Comforting was a warm fire on a cold day, a faithful old dog pattering through the house at night, the first rays of sun after a storm.

  Jonas wasn’t comforting.

  He was excitement and anticipation and safety all rolled into one.

  And that terrified her.

  Everyone she’d ever loved had betrayed her in one way or another. Everyone she should have been able to count on had failed her. She didn’t want to be disappointed or betrayed again. Not by anyone, but especially not by Jonas.

  And that, she decided, was the most terrifying truth of all.

  ELEVEN

  Jonas pulled out of the parking lot, his body humming with anticipation. When he’d worked border patrol, the thrill of the hunt had driven him. The quick burst of adrenaline, the buzz of energy, he’d loved both, and he’d lived for them as much as he’d lived for almost anything. Looking back, he could see that that hadn’t been healthy. If he ever went back to it, he’d do things differently. Keep balanced. Find thrills in everyday life as much as he’d found them in his job. Appreciate the quiet times as much as he did the action.

  If he went back?

  That he was actually considering it surprised him. Three years ago, he wouldn’t have. One year ago, he wouldn’t have.

  Now?

  He wasn’t sure, but he was going to go with his instincts, follow them where they led. Instincts and God. Skylar had used those words to describe how she’d survived her partner’s betrayal, and Jonas didn’t doubt the truth of them. God existed. He had power to create and to save.

  Could Jonas accept that God’s ability to save didn’t always mean that He would? Could he leave the fate of his loved ones to God’s will, trusting in God’s love even when His plan wasn’t clear?

  Jonas had learned faith from his grandfather, but the truths Pops had tried to impart had poured off him like water on an oil slick. A fatherless kid with a mother who’d barely cared didn’t spend much time thinking about eternity. At least, Jonas hadn’t. Even after Pops had died and Jonas had moved in with his father and Debby, gone to church with them every time the doors were open, Jonas hadn’t absorbed what he was being soaked in. Until he’d met Gabriella and watched the way she’d lived her convictions, he hadn’t understood what true faith meant or strived to achieve it. Once she was gone, he hadn’t cared enough to keep striving.

  But maybe God hadn’t stopped striving for him.

  “Turn left here.” Skylar broke into his thoughts, and he turned onto the street, parked a few houses away from Redmond’s place. No question about which one it was. Police cars filled the driveway and lined the curb in front of it, and two officers stood at the front door.

  “Think they’ll be happy to see us?” she asked, as she got out of the truck.

  “Not as happy as the sheriff was to see us go.”

  “He did seem anxious to get rid of us. Of course, that might have been because you looked like you were about to put your fist through his face.”

  “I thought about it.”

  “So did I. Listen.” She grabbed his arm, soft curls tumbling past her collarbone, the neckline of her sweater revealing half an inch of purple scar. “I want to apologize again for what I said earlier. I should have kept my mouth shut.”

  “Is that something you do often?”

  “Keep my mouth shut? I’m afraid not.”

  “Don’t start doing it on my account, then.”

  “I really do regret hurting you. You know that, right?”

  “You didn’t hurt me.”

  “Don’t lie to make me feel better.” She touched his shoulder, warmth seeping through his jacket, heating his skin and speeding his pulse. He’d be carried away by his feelings if he wasn’t careful. Start thinking about things that couldn’t be, or shouldn’t. Like risking it all again, like letting himself believe he could build something different than what he’d had with Gabriella, but something just as strong and wonderful.

  “I’m not in the habit of lying to make anyone feel better. Come on. Let’s see if those officers will tell us what’s been found.” He walked to the house, catching his breath, refocusing his thoughts.

  One of the officers stepped forward. “Sorry, folks, you’re going to have to leave.”

  “I’m Skylar Grady. I’m a private investigator from New York, in town looking for Daniel Redmond.”

  “I recognize you. Your face has been plastered on the front page of the local newspaper for almost a week. You’re also the reason we’ve spent half the day searching this property.”

  “Then you understand why I’m interested in knowing what you’ve found.”

  “I understand it, but it’s not my place to give out any information.” The deputy shoved up sunglasses onto her head, a frown line between her brows.

  “But a male body was found, right?” Jonas took a stab in the dark, and the deputy cocked her head, studied him for a moment.

  “I guess it can’t hurt to say. The news hounds have been sniffing around all morning, so I’m sure everyone in town will know by this afternoon. Someone is dead. We haven’t identified who, yet.”

  “There’s no doubt the victim was a man?”

  “None. No doubt about how he died, either. Guy was shot execution style. Arms tied behind his back, bullet to the back of the head. Slashed throat. Not pretty, even after the body’s been buried for weeks.”

  “How many?”

  “Weeks? That’s for the medical examiner to say, but I’d guess three or four based on the condition of the body.” The deputy tapped her fingers against her thigh, scanning the yard.

  “That coincides with the time frame of Redmond’s disappearance,” Jonas said, wishing he had the right to cross the yard, look down into the open grave. See the victim for himself.

  “That’s another thing that will have to be decided by the medical examiner. If it is Redmond, he was involved with some bad stuff. These kinds of crimes are usually gang related.”

  “It’s not very common for a gang member to bury a victim. The goal of the killing is usually to advertise power and bravado. Even a revenge killing i
s meant to show that. Why hide it?” Skylar asked, her gaze jumping to Jonas.

  “Good questions, but I’m afraid I can’t answer them. I’ve only been with the Cave Creek Sheriff’s department for a few months, so I’m serving as guard rather than investigator today,” the deputy responded.

  “Who’s in charge of the investigation?”

  “Should be the sheriff, but he hasn’t shown up yet. Samuel Mitchell is taking the lead until he arrives.”

  “May we speak with him?”

  “It’s no skin off my back if you do, but I’m not sure he’ll agree to it.” She opened the front door, called inside. “Hey, Sam! There are some people here who’d like to speak with you.”

  “If they’re reporters, I don’t have time.” The sharp response came moments before a man stepped into view. Mid-thirties. A little under six feet. Looked like he’d recently come out of the military.

  “What’s up?”

  “Chief Deputy Samuel Mitchell, this is Skylar Grady and…” She paused, apparently realizing Jonas had never offered his name.

  “Jonas Sampson.” He extended a hand, and Mitchell shook it, studying Jonas’s face as if he was sure they’d met before. It wasn’t an uncommon reaction. Losing his wife and unborn son in such a tragic way had made Jonas headline news for a few days. Many people remembered his face, though they couldn’t place where they’d seen it.

  “Sounds familiar.”

  “I’ve restored a dozen homes in Cave Creek.” It was as likely an explanation as any, and the chief deputy seemed satisfied with.

  “That could be it. What can I do for you folks?”

  “I’m trying to close a case that I’ve been working on for the past month. Daniel Redmond is wanted for back child support, and his wife hired the PI service I work for to find him. We’re wondering if he might be the man you found here.”

  “This isn’t information I want released to the press, but maybe it will help you close your case a little more quickly. One of our men is confident that the deceased is Daniel Redmond.”

  “Any reason for that?” Jonas asked.

  “He pulled Redmond over for speeding once, said the guy was wearing a watch like the one the deceased has on.”

  “Lots of people wear watches.”

  “This is an expensive one. Some fancy Italian maker.”

  “So, it’s very possible Daniel Redmond is dead.” Skylar seemed to be speaking more to herself than anyone else, and Jonas could almost see her mind working.

  Who had murdered Daniel?

  What did his murder have to do with the attempt on Skylar’s life?

  “We’ll check dental records to confirm it. We’re also going to have the medical examiner get fingerprints if possible. If Redmond has a record—”

  “He does. His wife reported him for abuse, and he was booked in New York three years ago,” Skylar broke in, but she sounded distracted, her skin pale beneath the sunburn.

  “Then we shouldn’t have any trouble confirming his identity.”

  “I’ve seen several photos of Redmond. I’d be happy to take a look at the victim. See if I can identify him.”

  “He’s pretty beat up. The bullet went in through the back of the head and exploded on its way out the other side. Destroyed a good portion of his face. A visual identification isn’t going to do it.”

  “The sheriff has my contact information. Can you give me a call when you know for sure?” Skylar persisted, and the deputy nodded.

  “No problem. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to work.” He hurried away, and Skylar scowled.

  “Well, that told us just about nothing.”

  “It told us that Redmond is probably dead.”

  “Which means he wasn’t out in the desert last night, he didn’t hire a posse to kill me. If he didn’t, who did?”

  “The person who killed him?”

  “It makes sense, but until we know what kind of trouble Redmond was involved in, there’s no way of knowing who that person might be.” She sighed, shoved a bundle of curls back behind her ear. “It’s times like this when I really wish I had my badge back.”

  “You think they’d let you view the burial site if you did?”

  “If I were investigating a criminal case against Redmond, they would. Of course, I doubt being back there would do me any good. Seeing him dead won’t tell me who murdered him, but having my badge would force Smithson to share what he knows.”

  “Maybe we can get the information another way. You’ve spoken with Redmond’s coworkers, right?”

  “Until we were all just about sick of it. No one knew anything of importance.”

  “News about the body is going to spread fast. Whether the remains belong to Redmond or not, people are going to assume he’s the one buried behind his house. Friends and coworkers might view the past differently in light of what they know about the present, and they might be willing to share their new insight.”

  “You have a point. Let’s head over to the diner. See if we can—”

  “Sorry to ruin your plans, Grady, but we’re not going anywhere but home.” He motioned for her to climb into the truck, rounded the vehicle and started the engine.

  “Since when do you get the deciding vote on our plans?” she asked as he pulled away from the crime scene.

  “Since I saw how pale you were.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “It’s getting dark, and we’re both running on empty. We need to get a few hours of sleep and come at the investigation fresh once we’re thinking more clearly.”

  “Maybe you’re right.”

  “It’s been known to happen.”

  She smiled, the expression sweet and sad all at the same time.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “You. You’re not like the other guys I know, and I’m finding it difficult to pretend you are.”

  “Who says you have to?”

  “What if I don’t? What then?”

  “Then, we go with it, and we see where it takes us.” His response came easily, quickly, and he knew it was right. Knew it was what Gabriella would want for him. Knew it was what he’d want for her if their situations were reversed. He couldn’t commit to a relationship—wasn’t sure if he could handle it, if he was prepared for the risks. But ignoring the connection both of them were feeling wasn’t doing any good. For now he wanted to see where it led them. Go with it and let himself feel, just a little, again.

  “Now you’re upset.” Skylar’s fingers brushed his biceps, her touch light and tentative.

  “No. I’m just thinking that I understand your fear. I know what it’s like to love and lose and even to be betrayed. I never want to hurt again like I hurt after my wife and son were murdered, but I wouldn’t give up the years I had with Gabriella to save myself the pain. Sometimes we have to be willing to risk everything to have something wonderful.”

  “And sometimes we risk everything to have something we think is wonderful and realize it’s only a poor reflection of our dreams, a vague likeness of everything we hoped for. Not something we can touch or feel or hold on to. Then, we’ve risked it all for nothing.” She turned away, and he knew he should let it be. Let her be.

  “The guy who hurt you? He was a fool, Skylar. You know that, don’t you?”

  “Yes, but I was the bigger fool. I don’t want to be that again.”

  “Sky—”

  “Look, I’m so tired the world is spinning, and if I’m not careful, I’ll spin away with it. How about we finish this conversation another time?” She closed her eyes, and this time, he let silence fill the car.

  There was nothing more he could say. After all, Skylar wasn’t the only one who was afraid to risk her heart. As much as she intrigued him, as much as he wanted to know more about her, he couldn’t shake the fear that was just beneath the surface when he was with her.

  What if he did risk it all?

  And what if he lost it all again?

  What if he failed the same way he�
�d failed before?

  What then?

  Would he look back and know that it had all been worth the pain? Or would he live the rest of his life regretting what he had lost?

  He didn’t know, but he half believed he was ready to find out.

  For now the investigation had to take priority.

  Everything else would follow.

  If he could keep Skylar alive. Keep himself alive.

  A tall order when a posse of men was hunting them.

  A posse that meant business.

  At least one man was already dead.

  He and Skylar needed to find out why. It was the key to discovering everything else. With that in mind, Jonas pulled out his phone and dialed Kane’s number.

  TWELVE

  “Grady?” The masculine voice drifted into Skylar’s dreams. She wanted to ignore it. Would have if the speaker hadn’t touched her shoulder, shaken her gently.

  Once.

  Twice.

  The third time was too jarring to ignore, and she opened one eye, shot Jonas a look she hoped would send him running. “Go away.”

  “Is that any way to talk to the guy who spent three days combing the desert, searching for you?”

  “It is when he just woke me from a sound sleep. I don’t like people who wake me up.”

  “You’d like me less if I left you sleeping in the car while Kane and I discussed the best way to get you out of danger.” He said, dangling a cell phone in front of her face, then pulling it back when she reached for it.

  “She’s awake, Kane. I’m going to get her into the apartment before I put her on the phone. No sense tempting fate by sitting out in the car.” He grabbed her suitcase, tucked the phone into his pocket.

  “I can walk and talk at the same time, you know,” Skylar grumbled as she tumbled out of the truck, barely managing to keep from falling.

  “You’ve yet to prove it.” He laughed, wrapping an arm around her waist, hurrying her into the apartment and turning off the alarm.